Measuring Human Security: Challenges and Opportunities in Thailand’s Deep South

Abstract

This research aims to examine the challenges and opportunities in measuring human security within the context of Thailand’s Deep South—namely Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. The study employed documentary research and secondary data analysis, drawing from Composite Human Security Index (CHSI) reports spanning 2012 to 2023. The findings, rather suprisingly, revealed that all three provinces recorded very high CHSI scores, significantly exceeding the national average. A closer analysis of the index uncovered notable misalignment between what is being measured and the components of the index, particularly in the health, life and property safety dimensions. For instance, the CHSI score for life and property safety was markedly high, despite the ongoing violence and unrest in the region. These discrepancies highlight the limitations of current indicators and data collection methods, which appear inadequate in capturing the unique socio-political context of the southern border area. The study recommends the development of an assessment framework that is more sensitive to the region’s social, cultural, and structural vulnerabilities. Adjusting the indicators to reflect local realities more accurately would enhance the utility of human security measurement as a strategic tool for evidence-based and context-specific policy formulation. This research examines alternative measures that could complement existing CHSI scores to better capture the challenges for human security in Thailand’s Deep South.